A delegation from the Cocoa Marketing Board (COCOBOD) and 15 of Ghana's best national cocoa farmers on 25th November 2024, paid a visit to Koa Impact Ghana Limited, to acquaint themselves with operations of the pioneering company in upcycling cocoa fruit pulp.

The visit underscores Koa's significant impact on the Ghanaian cocoa industry and the recognition of its innovative approach to sustainable agriculture.

A Partnership for Sustainable Growth

Koa Impact began its operations in 2017, directly partnering with over 3,500 smallholder cocoa farmers in and around Assin Akrofuom in the Central Region of Ghana. The company utilizes innovative Solar-Powered Community Mobile Processing Units (CMPU) to process cocoa fruit pulp directly at the farm level. This approach minimizes waste and maximizes value for the farmers.

The resulting juice, marketed under the brand name "Koa Natural," offers a refreshing and healthy alternative in the Ghanaian market. It serves as a natural source of energy and provides an immunity boost, along with essential nutrients like potassium and magnesium.

A Shared Vision for the Future

Speaking on behalf of cocoa farmers during the facility tour, Nana Kwadwo Amoako, the 2021 National Best Cocoa Farmer, expressed admiration for Koa’s initiative. He emphasized the potential for scaling up the project to benefit more farmers, especially those with exemplary cocoa production records.

“We, the best farmers undoubtedly have proven records of producing more cocoa every year and that means you can get more cocoa juices from our cocoa even from just one farm if you decide to bring your moving van or set up to our regions”, he suggested.

Koa is dedicated to sustainable growth, as demonstrated by the recent inauguration of its second and largest cocoa fruit processing factory in West Africa, which has a capacity of 2,500 tons.

This new facility has allowed Koa to partner with over 12,000 cocoa smallholders, providing both financial and non-financial benefits. Mr. Daniel Otu, the Director of Operations and Production at Koa, highlighted the company's commitment to building strong relationships with farmers.

He stated, "Koa pays an average of GH¢4,500 per tonne of cocoa to its farmers, with a budget of GH¢14 million allocated for pulp and juice purchases this year."

Koa's initiative is not just an innovative solution; it represents a paradigm shift for the cocoa industry.

As part of the visit, the delegation toured the farm of Nana Asiedu Samuel, one of Koa’s farmers, in Yaw Nkran near Achiase to observe farm activities. Expressing his gratitude for Koa's support, Nana Asiedu Samuel remarked, "We are proud to be part of this project because we earn extra income before drying our beans. After the juice extraction, we can continue with the fermentation process as usual."

He highlighted how the additional income from Koa has been crucial in covering essential farming activities like weeding, pod breaking, and other routine operations, significantly reducing the burden on farmers.

The delegation leader, Mr. David Oduro Asare, encouraged Koa to continue its efforts in educating farmers about sustainable practices, particularly in the area of fermentation. ‘From the look of things, there is the likelihood of the farmers forgoing the prescribed fermentation processes since the beans appear conspicuously clean after the extraction so, I think Koa must lead in educating farmers and supporting them to observe the fermentation processes taught them by COCOBOD’, he advised.

In his concluding remarks, Mr Daniel Otu, Director of Operations and Production at Koa, emphasized the importance of research in decision-making. "Research precedes every action we take. Our factories are built to ensure long-term operations, and we carefully consider potential threats to their longevity when selecting new locations," he explained.

Koa remains committed to advocating for the wider adoption of sustainable practices in the cocoa industry and the global food sector.

About Koa

The Swiss-Ghanaian start-up Koa transforms the cocoa industry by upcycling parts of the cocoa fruit that are usually overlooked. With a mission to empower farmers to earn additional income and make a positive impact on the planet, Koa is redefining sustainability and social responsibility in the industry.

As a certified B Corp™, the company integrates its mission into all business activities, focusing on the Triple Bottom Line: ‘People, Planet and Profit’.

Today, 100 employees in Ghana and Switzerland dedicate themselves to making an impact by creating ingredients for gastronomy and the food and beverage industry.